Murale sells high end cosmetics with a wide range of selection that you may not find in Sephora. For me, if Sephora and Murale sells the same product that I am looking for, I would always buy from Murale over Sephora if it is not during a sale event. Murale, which is a part of Shoppers Drug Mart, has a better loyalty program than Sephora which allows you to redeem points for cash value. Sephora only allows you to get deluxe samples and it bugs me how unattractive that is compared to the Optimum program. With that aside, they now carry great natural skincare that might interest some of you such as Tata Harper or Eve Lom to name a few examples. Another reason why I like Murale over Sephora is because you don't need to ask for samples; the SA just gives you a bag of them because they are generous like that. I find that kind of marketing is better because the more products you try, the better you know which ones work for you best before committing to a purchase of a full product.

Sidenote: You can also buy some of their brands online from their Beauty Boutique but other brands might be available in store only. The Optimum program will work there as well!

This image is of the Montreal Murale store; I chose it to show the prestige brands Murale can offer. Sure, you can go play with these lines in a department store, but the great thing about an environment like Murale's is that you're enthusiastically encouraged to play, to ask questions, to have someone show you how something looks on you, and you don't feel like you're stealing counter time.

In addition to Chanel, YSL, Bobbi Brown, Shiseido, Nars and Benefit, you can have a skin analysis, get your brows shaped, and have a makeup lesson. Check out cute cosmetics lines like Pandora's Box (Canadian) and Mommy Makeup (exclusive). Get to know skincare from Natura Bissé (all about sirtuins, which repair damaged cells and prolongs overall cell lifespan) and June Jacobs (natural, and exclusive). Check out bath-and-body treats from Princepessa, Potter & Moore and gorgeous Molton Brown. And look for fun accessories to round out your beauty supplies.

Best of all, there's TONS of room to move -- no beauty claustrophobia here. Beauty geeks, addicts, junkies... if you love beauty, you'll love Murale. And frankly, it's a genius shopping spot for any guy who needs help shopping for a girl.